Sign and display systems

ABSTRACT

Sign and display systems including a faceplate, lens, backing plate, and at least one magnet are described. In some embodiments, the faceplate includes a viewing aperture and the back of the faceplate includes a recess in which the at least one magnet is mounted. The recess in the faceplate is configured to receive the lens and backing plate. In some embodiments, the faceplate includes two recesses in the back surface, where the first level recess is configured to receive a backing plate and the second lower level recess is configured to receive the lens. The at least one magnet can be mounted in either a first recessed surface of the first level recess or the backing plate. When the lens and backing plate are positioned in the faceplate, the one or more magnets exert a force to secure the faceplate, lens, and backing plate together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/838,276, filed Aug. 27, 2015, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/601,118, filed Jan. 20, 2015, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,122,056, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/242,561, filed Apr. 1, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.8,959,816, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to sign and display systems, such asoffice and workstation sign and display systems, and more particularlyrelates to systems that include a faceplate, lens, backing plate, and atleast one magnet. The sign and display systems can be adhered to a wallsurface or other surface and display text and/or graphics through thelens.

BACKGROUND

Sign and display systems are used for presenting information. Forexample, interior sign and display systems are used in an officeenvironment as workstation signs and office displays. Sign and displaysystems are typically attached to a wall surface or partitions (e.g.,cubicle partitions, partition walls, and glass partitions). Some signand display systems include inserts on which text and graphics may beprinted. The inserts can be permanently or removably attached to thesign and display systems. For example, some sign and display systemsrequire a user to slide the insert into a thin slot. In such systems, itcan be difficult to insert and remove these inserts.

The assignee of the present disclosure, L&M Architectural Graphics,Inc., produced a sign system that included a faceplate and a backingplate. The backing plate was attachable to a wall surface and thefaceplate is secured to the backing plate using two round magneticsembedded in the faceplate. The faceplate of this prior sign system isshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the back of faceplate 10.Faceplate 10 includes a back surface 12 and a recessed back surface 14.The space between the plane of back surface 12 and the plane of recessedback surface 14 within internal edge 16 forms a recess. An insertcapable of displaying text and/or graphics may be placed in the recessadjacent to recessed surface 14. The text and/or graphics are visiblefrom the front of faceplate 10 through viewing aperture 18. A backingplate (not shown) is configured to fit into the displayed recess of thefaceplate. The shape of the backing plate edge is similar to the shapeof inside edge 16. Two circular magnets 19A and 19B are embedded inrecessed surface 14 such that the visible surfaces of magnets 19A and19B are in the same plane as the plane of recessed back surface 3.Magnets 19A and 19B removably secure faceplate 10 to the backing plate.The prior sign system, which includes the faceplate shown in FIG. 1,however, does not include any lens to protect the insert.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to sign and display systemscomprising a faceplate, lens, a backing plate, and at least one magnet.Sign and display systems can be configured to adhere to a wall surfaceand display any suitable content or information such as text and/orgraphics.

In some embodiments, the faceplate of the sign and display systemcomprises front and back surfaces, and a viewing aperture configured toenable one to see through the faceplate when the faceplate is viewedperpendicular to its front surface. The back surface may include arecessed back surface and at least one internal edge connecting therecessed back surface to the back surface. The recessed back surface andthe at least one internal edge define a recess in the back of thefaceplate. The at least one magnet may be mounted proximate to therecessed back surface of the faceplate. In some embodiments, the atleast one magnet may be partially recessed into the recessed backsurface. The lens of the wall sign comprises two surfaces and isconfigured to fit within the recess in the back surface of thefaceplate. In some embodiments, the lens may include one or more edgeprotrusions configured to enter one or more small recesses in the atleast one internal edge of the faceplate. In some embodiments, the lensmay include one or more edge recesses to accommodate the one or moremagnets. The backing plate of the wall sign also comprises two surfaces,and similarly is configured to fit within the recess in the back surfaceof the faceplate. The backing plate is comprised of a ferromagneticmaterial. When the lens and backing plate are positioned in the recessof the back surface of the faceplate, one surface of the lens faces therecessed surface, and the opposite surface of the lens faces the backingplate, and the at least one magnet exerts a force on the backing plateto maintain the faceplate, lens, and backing plate together. In someembodiments, the rear of the backing plate may include one or moresticky mediums for attachment to a surface.

In some embodiments, an insert displaying content or information such astext and/or graphics may be positioned between the lens and backingplate, and the sign and display system may be adhered to a surface(e.g., a wall surface, partition, or door), such that the text and/orgraphics of the insert are visible from the front of the faceplate.

In some embodiments, the sign and display system comprises a faceplatehaving two recesses in the back surface. The faceplate may comprise aback surface opposite a front surface, a first recess in the backsurface, and a first recessed surface, where the first recessed surfaceat least partially defines a bottom of the first recess. The faceplatemay further comprise a second recess in the first recessed surface and asecond recessed surface, where the second recessed surface at leastpartially defines a bottom of the second recess and where the bottom ofthe first recess is adjacent to a top of the second recess. Thefaceplate may further comprise a viewing aperture, where the viewingaperture enables one to see through the faceplate and where the viewingaperture is located in the second recessed surface of the faceplate. Insome embodiments, the sign and display system further comprises a lensconfigured to fit into the second recess of the faceplate and a backingplate configured to fit into the first recess of the faceplate. In someembodiments, the sign and display system further comprises at least onemagnet located in either the first recessed surface of the faceplate orthe backing plate, where when the lens is positioned in the secondrecess and the backing plate is positioned in the first recess, the atleast one magnet exerts a force to maintain the faceplate and backingplate together.

In some embodiments, the least one magnet comprises at least two magnetsor at least four magnets. In some embodiments, an insert may bepositioned in the first recess or the second recess. In someembodiments, the lens comprises opposite protrusions configured to beinserted into corresponding opposite recesses in the faceplate adjacentto opposite sides of the second recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above and other features of the present disclosure, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the back of a faceplate of a prior art signsystem;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front of a faceplate of a sign and displaysystem in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the back of the faceplate in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the faceplate in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a lens in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a curved edge of the lens in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the back surface of a backing plate inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an installed wall sign, taken alongline 8-8 of FIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the components of the sign and displaysystem in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a panel of illustrative shapes and geometries of faceplatesin accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the back of a faceplate in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a lens in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the front surface of a backing plate inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a partial view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the back of a faceplate having a double recessin accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a sign, taken along line 16-16 ofFIG. 15, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a backing plate having magnets inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present disclosure is directed towards sign and display systems. Insome embodiments, the sign and display system of the present disclosurecomprises a faceplate, lens, backing plate, and one or more magnets. Thefaceplate may include a front surface that is visible and a back surfacethat includes a recess for mounting the one or more magnets and forreceiving the lens and the backing plate. FIGS. 2-4 show different viewsof faceplate 20 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front of faceplate 20 in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure. Faceplate 20 includes frontsurface 22 and viewing aperture 24. In some embodiments, front surface22 may be a flat surface. In some embodiments, front surface 22 mayinclude raised numbers and/or letters. For example, front surface 22 mayinclude raised numbers and/or letters to identify a particularworkstation. In some embodiments, front surface 22 may be a texturedsurface. Faceplate 20 may be made of any suitable material orcombination of materials. For example, faceplate 20 may be made of metal(e.g., aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, stainless steel, and/ortitanium), plastic (e.g., acrylic, petg, pvc, delrin, polycarbonate,and/or high density urethane), a solid surface (e.g., solid surfacessold under the trademarks Corian and Avonite), wood, recycled material(e.g., recycled paper boards sold under the trademark PaperStone), anyother suitable material, and any combination thereof. Viewing aperture24 enables one to see through faceplate 20, for example, when faceplate20 is viewed generally perpendicular to front surface 22. Asillustrated, faceplate 22 and viewing aperture 24 are rectangular inshape. However, in some embodiments, the faceplate and viewing aperturemay be any suitable shape and/or size.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the back of faceplate 20 in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure. Faceplate 20 includes backsurface 32 and recessed surface 34. At least one external edge connectsback surface 32 and front surface 22. As illustrated, the at least oneexternal edge comprises four straight edges in the shape of a rectangle.Aperture 24 is also visible from the back of faceplate 20. In theillustrated embodiment, internal edges 36A-D connect recessed surface 34to back surface 32. Thus, the plane of recessed surface 34 and internaledges 36A-D define a recess in the back of faceplate 20. Recessedsurface 34 comprises recesses 38A and 38B, which are configured toreceive magnets 39A and 39B. In some embodiments, a portion of each ofmagnets 39A and 39B extends below the plane of recessed surface 34 intorespective recesses 38A and 39B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.3, recesses 38A and 38B are oval shaped and magnets 39A and 39B arerectangular in shape. In some embodiments, recesses 38A and 38B andmagnets 39A and 29B may be any suitable shapes and/or sizes, so long asthe shape of recesses 38A and 38B is capable of receiving the shape ofmagnets 39A and 39B. In some embodiments, the shape of magnets 39A and39B, and the shape of recesses 38A and 39B, may be round, triangular,square, rectangular, or any other suitable shape or combination ofshapes. It will be understood that two magnets do not need to be used.In some embodiments, less or more than two magnets may be used. In theillustrated embodiment, recessed surface 34 is displayed as rectangularin shape, with four curved edges, one at each corner of the rectangularshape. Recessed surface 34 may be any suitable shape that is capable ofreceiving a corresponding lens, insert, and backing plate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of faceplate 20 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure. The perspective view ofFIG. 4 illustrates additional detail of faceplate 20. As shown, magnets39A and 39B protrude from recesses 38A and 38B. As such, magnets 39A and39B extend above and below the opening of recesses 38A and 38B. In someembodiments, magnets 39A and 39B extend above the opening of recesses38A and 38B a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the lens.FIG. 4 also shows one of small recesses 42 in internal edge 36A. Asimilar recess (not shown) is also present in internal edge 36C. Smallrecesses 42 are shaped such that they are configured to receive edgeprotrusions of a lens when the lens is positioned adjacent to recessedsurface 34 in the recess of back surface 32 of faceplate 20. Asillustrated, small recesses 42 comprise rectangular openings and concaveshapes, configured to receive convex shaped protrusions of the lens. Itwill be understood that the shape of small recesses 42 is merelyillustrative and that the shape of small recesses 42 may be any suitableshape that is capable of receiving the edge protrusions of a lens. Aswill be explained in more detail below, the protrusions of the lens andsmall recesses 42 operate together to help secure the lens to faceplate20.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of lens 50 in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Lens 50 may be a sheet of a transparent ortranslucent medium. For example, lens 50 may be made of glass, plastic,or any other suitable transparent or translucent material. In someembodiments, lens 50 may be made of acrylic, polycarbonate, petg,acetate, and/or glass. Lens 50 comprises four straight edges 52A-D andfour curved edges 54A-D, where each curved edge connects the ends of twostraight edges as illustrated. Opposite edges 52B and 52D compriserespective indentations 56B and 56A and opposite edges 52A and 52Ccomprise respective protrusions 58A and 58B. In the illustratedembodiment, lens 50 is configured to fit into the recess in the back offaceplate 20, such that magnets 39A and 39B of faceplate 20 pass throughindentations 56A and 56B. Indentations 56A and 56B are shown asrectangular in shape to accommodate the rectangular shape of magnets 39Aand 39B, however, it will be understood that indentations 56A and 56Bmay be any suitable shape which allows the magnets of the faceplate topass through the indentations. In some embodiment, indentations 56A and56B may be replaced with apertures configured to accommodate respectivemagnets 39A and 39B. Convex protrusions 58A and 58B are shaped such thatthey will fit into recesses 42 of faceplate 20, however, it will beunderstood that protrusions 58A and 58B may be any suitable shape suchthat they are able to be inserted into recesses 42. It will also beunderstood that any suitable number of protrusion and respectiverecesses may be used. When protrusions 58A and 58B are inserted intorespective recesses 42 of faceplate 20, the fitting of the protrusionsin the recesses enables lens 50 to be secured to faceplate 20. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, the distance between the ends ofprotrusions 58A and 58B is greater than the distance between internaledges 36A and 36C of faceplate 20. Therefore, in some embodiments, lens50 is capable of being elastically bent to reduce the linear distancebetween protrusions 58A and 58B to enable the protrusions to passbetween internal edges 36A and 36C of faceplate 20. When lens 50, in abent shape, is positioned in the recess of faceplate 20, such that theprotrusions 58A and 58B are aligned with the openings of respectiverecesses 42, the lens may be released from its bent shape causing thelens to return to its original shape. As lens 50 returns to its originalshape, the linear distance between protrusions 58A and 58B increases,which causes the protrusions to enter into respective recesses 42.

It will be understood that the edge shape of lens 50 is merelyillustrative and that any suitable shape may be used that enables thelens to fit into the recess of faceplate 20. As illustrated, lens 50includes curved edges 54A-D. These curves match respective curves in theinternal edge of the recess in faceplate 20. FIG. 6 is an enlarged viewof curved edge 54B of lens 50 in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. While the enlarged curved edge illustrated in FIG. 6is referred to as edge 54B of lens 50, the shape and description of thecurved edge of FIG. 6 may also apply to the other curved edges of lens50, as well as to the curved edges of the recess in faceplate 20 and thecurved edges of the backing plate. As illustrated, curved edge 54Bconnects the ends of straight edges 52B and 52C, where straight edges52B and 52C may be considered to be two of four straight edges whichform the sides of a rectangle. Curved edge 54B is located at the cornerof the rectangle formed by the straight edges 52B and 52C, where curve54B extends beyond the corner of the rectangle. Curved edge 54B isapproximately symmetrical about angle bisector axis 62, which extendsthrough the corner of the rectangle where curved edge 23 is located.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the back surface of backing plate 70 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Asillustrated, backing plate 70 comprises four straight edges and fourcurved edges, such that each curved edge connects two straight edges.The shape of backing plate 70 may be the same as the shape of lens 50,without the recesses and protrusions in the straight edges of lens 50.Backing plate 70 is configured to fit into the recess of faceplate 20.It will be understood that the shape of backing plate 70 may be anysuitable shape that is capable of being positioned in the recess offaceplate 20. As illustrated, sticky mediums 72A and 72B are attached tothe back surface of backing plate 70. Sticky mediums 72A and 72B may bemade of a material having adhesive properties. For example, stickymediums 72A and 72B may be double-sided tape. Sticky mediums 72A and 72Bare configured to adhere backing plate 70 to a surface, such as a wallsurface. Sticky mediums 72A and 72B are illustrated as being rectangularin shape, however, they can be any suitable shape that enables backingplate 70 to adhere to a surface. It will also be understood that less ormore than two sticky mediums may be used to adhere backing plate 70 to asurface. In some embodiments, backing plate 70 may be attached to asurface using any other suitable attachment technique or combination oftechniques. For example, in some embodiments backing plate 70 mayinclude one or more recessed screw holes so that backing plate 70 can beattached to a surface using one or more screws. Backing plate 70 mayalso be attached to a surface using hanging clips, brackets, fabricpins, glues and adhesives, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., hook and loopfasteners sold under the trademark Velcro), snaps, buttons, any othersuitable attachment techniques, and any combination thereof.

Backing plate 70 may be made of a ferromagnetic material, such that whenlens 50 and backing plate 70 are positioned in the recess of faceplate20, at least one magnet, for example, magnet 39A and/or 39B, exerts aforce on backing plate 70 to maintain faceplate 20, lens 50, and backingplate 70 together. Generally speaking, in operation, the backing plateis typically first attached to a surface. Then, the lens and an insertare positioned in the recess of the faceplate. With the recess of thefaceplate aligned with the backing plate, the faceplate is moved towardsthe backing plate so that the backing plate enters the recess of thefaceplate. When the faceplate, together with the lens and an insert, arepositioned onto the backing plate, the faceplate, lens, and insert aresecured to the backing plate, and thus the surface, based on the forceexerted by one or magnetics in the faceplate, such that when the backingplate, lens, and faceplate are all attached, the wall sign will adhereto the wall via sticky mediums 72A and 72B.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an installed sign and displaysystem, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3, in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. The cross-sectional view showsbacking plate 70 attached to wall 82 via sticky mediums 72A and 72B.Faceplate 20 and lens 50 are secured to backing plate 70 via the forceexerted on backing plate 70 by magnets 39A and 39B. As shown in FIG. 8,the surfaces of magnets 39A and 39B facing backing plate 70 areapproximately in the same plane as the surface of lens 50 that is facingbacking plate 70. This brings magnets 39A and 39B close to backing plate70, which increases the force exerted by magnets 39A and 39B. In someembodiments, an insert (not shown) displaying content or informationsuch as text and/or graphics may be inserted into space 84 shown betweenlens 50 and backing plate 70. When an insert is positioned in space 84,the insert is visible through lens 50 and the viewing aperture offaceplate 20. The insert may be made of a material suitable forpresenting information or content such as text and/or graphics. Forexample, the insert may be made of paper, card stock, plastic, clearacetate, clear film, thin metal, any other suitable material, and anysuitable combination thereof. It will be understood that the presence ofspace 84 is merely illustrative and that in use, lens 50 may be adjacentto backing plate 70 and if an insert is used, one side of the insert maybe adjacent to lens 50 and the other side of the insert may be adjacentto backing plate 70. It will also be understood that the sticky mediums72A and 72B may be any suitable thickness. In some embodiments, stickymediums 72A and 72B may have sufficient thickness such that the sign anddisplay system will appear to be floating off of wall 82.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the components of the sign and displaysystem, showing the order in which they are assembled together, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Faceplate 20is shown as the front of the sign and display system, followed by lens50, and then backing plate 70. As explained above, lens 50 fits into arecess in the rear of faceplate 20. In addition, backing plate 70 alsofits in into the recess of faceplate 20, adjacent to lens 50. Whenassembled, a first surface of lens 50 faces the recessed surface on theback of the faceplate 20, and a second surface of lens 50 faces a firstsurface of backing plate 70. The second surface of backing plate 70 mayhave attached to it at least one sticky medium, such as sticky medium72A and/or 72B, which are used to adhere the sign and display system toa wall surface. In some embodiments, the components of the wall sign mayinclude an insert positioned between lens 50 and backing plate 70.

It will be understood that the curved corners of the recess in thefaceplate and the curved corners of the lens and backing plate may havedifferent shape configurations. For example, instead of the curvedcorners being approximately symmetrical about an angle bisector axis forthe corners, the curved corners may not be symmetric. For example, thecurved corners may be positioned as shown in FIG. 1.

It will also be understood that the shape of the sign and display systemcomponents depicted in FIGS. 2-9 is merely illustrative and that thesign and display system components of the present disclosure can be madein any suitable shapes having any suitable geometries. FIG. 10 is apanel 100 of illustrative shapes and geometries of faceplates inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Panel 100depicts the front surfaces of eight different faceplates havingdifferent shapes and geometries. Each depicted faceplate comprises tworectangular shapes with dimensions noted for the external rectangularshape, which corresponds to the external edge of the faceplate. Theinternal rectangular shape of each depicted faceplate represents thesize and location of the viewing aperture. As illustrated, in someembodiments, the distance between the external edge of the faceplate andthe edge of the viewing aperture may be approximately the same for allfour sides of the faceplate. In some embodiments, the distance betweenthe external edge of the faceplate and the edge of the viewing aperturemay be different for at least one of the sides of the faceplate. It willbe understood that each of the faceplates depicted in FIG. 10 has arecess in its back surface configured to receive a suitably shaped lens,insert, and backing plate. It will be understood that the faceplatesdepicted in FIG. 10 and other sized faceplates of the present disclosuremay have recesses sized to fit any suitably sized inserts. For example,the sign and display systems of the present disclosure may be configuredto receive inserts having the following sizes: business card sizes(e.g., 3.5″×2″), index card sizes (e.g., 3″×5″ and 4″×6″), post cardsizes (e.g., 6″×4.25″, 7″×5″, 8.5″×6″, 9″×6″, and 11″×6″), letter size(i.e., 8.5″×11″), tabloid size (i.e., 11″×17″), arch D. size (i.e.,24″×36″), and any other suitable sizes. It will also be understood thatthe shapes and geometries of the faceplates in FIG. 10 is merelyillustrative and that any other suitable shapes and geometries may beused.

FIGS. 11-13 show a different configuration of the faceplate, lens, andbacking plate of the sign and display system described above inconnection with FIGS. 2-9. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the back offaceplate 110 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The back of faceplate 110 includes a recessed back surfacewith four round magnetics 112A-D, each located in a corner of therecessed back surface. Similar to magnets 39A-D, a portion of each ofmagnets 112A-D may extend below the plane of the recessed surface into arespective recess and a portion of each of magnets 112A-D may extendabove the recessed surface. In some embodiments, magnets 112A-D mayextend above the recessed surface an amount approximately equal to thethickness of the lens that is configured to be inserted into the recess.By locating the magnets in the corners of the recessed surface, it maybe possible to minimize the thickness of the frame of the faceplate(i.e., the distance between the external edge of the faceplate and theviewing aperture). FIG. 14 is a partial view of FIG. 11. Specifically,FIG. 14 shows the upper right portion of FIG. 11 with the addition ofreference axes 142, 144, and 146. Reference axes 142 and 144 lie alongthe two sides of the corner of the viewing aperture depicted in FIG. 14and form four quadrants having an origin at the intersection of the twoaxes. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the viewing aperture is located in thelower-left quadrant and at least a portion of the magnet is located inthe quadrant diagonally opposite the lower-left quadrant. Reference axis146 is an angle bisector axis that extends through the corner of therecessed surface depicted in FIG. 14. FIG. 12 is a plan view of lens 120in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Lens 120is configured to fit into the recess in the back surface of faceplate110. Each corner of lens 120 includes a concave edge to accommodate theround shape of magnets 112A-D. In addition, the left and right edges oflens 120 each includes two convex protrusions configured to enterrecesses (not shown) in the sides of the recess in the back of faceplate110. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the front surface of backing plate 130 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Backingplate 130 is configured to fit into the recess in the back surface offaceplate 110.

In some embodiments, the sign systems of the present disclosure mayinclude a double recess in the back of a faceplate. An upper first levelrecess may be shaped to receive the backing plate and a lower secondlevel recess may be shaped to receive the lens. In some embodiments, thelens is provided without any indentations for accommodating magnetsbecause the magnets can be positioned away from the lens.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the back of a faceplate 150 having a doublerecess in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.Faceplate 150 includes a back surface 152, a first level recessedsurface 154, and a lower second level recessed surface 156. The plane onwhich first level recessed surface 154 lies defines the bottom of thefirst level recess as well as the top of the second level recess. Theplane on which second level recessed surface 156 lies defines the bottomof the second level recess. As shown, first level recessed surface 154comprises magnets 158A and 158B. In some embodiments, magnets 158A and158B are embedded in faceplate 150 such that the visible surface of themagnets is flush with first level recessed surface 154. In someembodiments, magnets 158A and 158 B protrude from first level recessedsurface 154. In some embodiments, magnets 158A and 158B may be anysuitable shapes and/or sizes. In some embodiments, the shape of magnets158A and 158B may be round, triangular, square, rectangular, or anyother suitable shape or combination of shapes. It will be understoodthat two magnets do not need to be used. In some embodiments, less ormore than two magnets may be used. It will also be understood that themagnets may be positioned in any suitable locations on first levelrecessed surface 154. For example, four magnets may be used where eachmagnet is located in a respective corner of recessed surface 154,similar to what is shown in FIG. 11. As another example, four magnetsmay be used where each magnet is located proximate to a center of arespective one of the four sides of recessed surface 154. It will alsobe understood that while the internal edges of faceplate 150 surroundingthe first and second level recesses are shown as being rectangular, theinternal edges may be any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, theinternal edges surrounding the first and/or second level recessescomprise curved corners similar to what is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11.First level recessed surface 154 may be any suitable shape that iscapable of receiving a corresponding backing plate and second levelrecessed surface 156 may be any suitable shape that is capable ofreceiving a corresponding lens. In addition, one or more inserts may becapable of being positioned in the first level recess and/or the secondlevel recess.

In some embodiments, the internal edge of faceplate 150 surrounding thesecond level recess comprises small recesses 159A and 159B. Smallrecesses 159A and 159B may be similar to recesses 42 shown in FIG. 4. Insome embodiments, small recesses 159A and 159B may be shaped such thatthey are configured to receive edge protrusions of a lens. For example,the edge protrusions may be similar to edge protrusions 58A and 58B ofFIG. 5. In some embodiments, small recesses 159A and 159B may be shapedsuch that they are configured to receive edge protrusions of an insert.In some embodiments, small recesses 159A and 159B may be shaped suchthat they are configured to receive edge protrusions of both a lens andan insert. The interaction of small recesses 159A and 159B andrespective protrusions of the lens and/or insert enable the lens and/orinsert to be secured to faceplate 150.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a sign having a double recess,taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15, in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure. The cross-sectional view shows faceplate 150having a first level recess 160A and a second level recess 160B. Asshown, lens 162 and insert 164 are positioned within second level recess160B and backing plate 166 is positioned within first level recess 160A.In some embodiments, the depth of second level recess 160B may beapproximately equal to the combined thickness of lens 162 and insert164. In some embodiments, the depth of second level recess 160B may begreater than the combined thickness of lens 162 and insert 164 to ensurethat backing plate 166 can be positioned adjacent to the first levelrecessed surface. The depth of first level recess 160A may less than,approximately equal to, or greater than the thickness of backing plate166. The depth of first level recess 160A and the thicknesses of backingplate 166 and sticky mediums 168A and 168B can be selected to positionfaceplate 150 at a desired distance away from a surface to which it isattached.

Lens 162 and insert 164 are shaped to fit within second level recess160B. In some embodiments, lens 162 and insert 164 are rectangular. Insome embodiments, one or both of lens 162 and insert 165 comprise one ormore protrusions (e.g., similar to protrusions 58A and 58B of FIG. 5)shaped to fit in one or more small recesses in faceplate 150. In someembodiments, lens 162 and/or insert 164 are capable of being elasticallybent to reduce the linear distance between opposite protrusions toenable the protrusions to pass within the internal edge of faceplate 150adjacent to second level recess 160B. When bent, inserted into secondlevel recess 160B, and released, lens 162 and/or insert 164 return totheir original shape, which cause the opposite protrusions to enter intorespective recesses of faceplate 150. Lens 162 may be made of glass,plastic, or any other suitable transparent or translucent material.Insert 164 may be made of a material suitable for presenting informationor content such as text and/or graphics. For example, the insert may bemade of paper, card stock, cardboard, plastic, clear acetate, clearfilm, thin metal, any other suitable material, and any suitablecombination thereof.

The sign of FIG. 16 further comprises magnets 158A and 158B. As shown,magnets 158A and 158B are embedded in the first level recessed surfacesuch that the surfaces of the magnets are flush with the first levelrecessed surface. In some embodiments, magnets 158A and 158B mayprotrude from the first level recessed surface to ensure contact is madewith backing plate 166 when the backing plate is inserted into firstlevel recess 160A.

Backing plate 166 may be any suitable shape that is capable of beingpositioned in first level recess 160A. In some embodiments, backingplate 166 may be rectangular. In some embodiments, backing plate 166 maycorrespond to backing plate 70 of FIG. 7. As illustrated, sticky mediums168A and 168B are attached to the back surface of backing plate 70.Sticky mediums 168A and 168B may be made of a material having adhesiveproperties. For example, sticky mediums 168A and 168B may bedouble-sided tape. Sticky mediums 168A and 168B are configured to adherebacking plate 166 to a surface, such as a wall surface. Sticky mediums168A and 168B may be any suitable shape such as rectangular. It will beunderstood that less or more than two sticky mediums may be used toadhere backing plate 166 to a surface. It will also be understood thatthe sticky mediums 168A and 168B may be any suitable thickness. In someembodiments, sticky mediums 168A and 168B may have sufficient thicknesssuch that the sign will appear to be floating off of the surface towhich it is attached. In some embodiments, backing plate 166 may beattached to a surface using any other suitable attachment technique orcombination of techniques. For example, in some embodiments backingplate 166 may include one or more recessed screw holes so that backingplate 166 can be attached to a surface using one or more screws. Backingplate 166 may also be attached to a surface using hanging clips,brackets, fabric pins, glues and adhesives, hook and loop fasteners(e.g., hook and loop fasteners sold under the trademark Velcro), snaps,buttons, any other suitable attachment techniques, and any combinationthereof. Backing plate 166 may be made of a ferromagnetic material orinclude ferromagnetic material, such that when lens 162, insert 164, andbacking plate 166 are positioned in faceplate 150, at least one magnet,for example, magnet 158A and/or 158B, exerts a force on backing plate166 to maintain faceplate 150, lens 163, insert 164, and backing plate166 together.

Generally speaking, in operation, the backing plate is typically firstattached to a surface. Then, the lens and one or more inserts arepositioned in the lower level recess of the faceplate. With the upperlevel recess of the faceplate aligned with the backing plate, thefaceplate is moved towards the backing plate so that the backing plateenters the upper level recess of the faceplate. When the faceplate,together with the lens and at least one insert, are positioned onto thebacking plate, the faceplate, lens, and the at least one insert aresecured to the backing plate, and thus the surface, based on the forceexerted by one or magnets in the faceplate, such that when the backingplate, lens, and faceplate are all attached, the sign will adhere to thesurface via the sticky mediums.

It will be understood that the configuration of the sign of FIG. 16 ismerely illustrative and any suitable design changes can be made. Forexample, in some embodiments, insert 164 is shaped to fit within firstlevel recess 160A. In some embodiments, the depth of first level recess160A and second level recess 160B may be adjusted to reflect whether theinsert 164 is shaped to fit within first level recess 160A or secondlevel recess 160B. In some embodiments, faceplate 150 may be designed tofit two inserts. For example, when the faceplate 150 is intended to beused as a frame for showing a visual display insert such as a photographor artwork, the visual display insert can be positioned between lens 162and insert 164 within second level recess 160B. In this example, insert164 may used as a backing insert to help maintain the visual displayinsert against lens 162. In some embodiments, insert 164 may be apicture-framing mat or any other suitable insert that can be used with avisual display insert.

In some embodiments, one or more magnets may be located on any of thebacking plates disclosed herein. For example, one or more magnets may beinserted into the backing plate and arranged such that the one or moremagnets have the opposite polarity of the one or more magnets located onthe faceplate. The magnets may be positioned such that the one or moremagnets of the backing plate are adjacent to the one or more magnets ofthe faceplate when backing plate is positioned within a recess of thefaceplate. In some embodiments, magnets are not located on the faceplateand instead one or more magnets are located on the backing plate. Thefaceplates in these embodiments may be made of a ferromagnetic materialor ferromagnetic material (e.g., one or more steel inserts) may be addedto the faceplate adjacent to or proximate to where the one or moremagnets align with the faceplate. When magnets are located on thebacking plate, the backing plate may be made of any ferromagneticmaterial (e.g., steel) and/or non-ferromagnetic material (e.g.,aluminum, foam, plastic, wood, etc.).

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a backing plate 170 having magnetsin accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Magnets172A and 172B are embedded in backing plate 170. As shown, the surfacesof magnets 172A and 172B are flush with the surface of backing plate170. In some embodiments, magnets 172A and 17B may protrude from thesurface of backing plate 170. In some embodiments, backing plate 170 maybe used with faceplate 20, faceplate 110, or faceplate 150 of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, backing plate 170 may be usedwith faceplates that do not include any magnets. Backing plate 170 maybe made of ferromagnetic and/or non-ferromagnetic material.

It will be understood that the sign and display systems of the presentdisclosure can be used for various purposes. For example, the sign anddisplay systems may be used to display phone directories, officedirectories, art, artwork, pictures, business cards, employee names,office names or numbers, messages, any other suitable content orinformation, and any combination thereof. It will be also understoodthat the design of the disclosed sign and display systems enables thecontent to be easily changed by applying sufficient force on thefaceplate to overcome the force exerted by the at least one magnet toremove the faceplate. In some embodiments, the insert for displayingcontent may also include one or more recesses and/or apertures toaccommodate the one or more magnetics in the faceplate. In someembodiments, the surface of the at least one magnet may extend above therecessed back surface a distance approximately equal to the combinedthickness of the lens and insert. This may maximize the force exerted bythe at least one magnetic on the backing plate.

It will also be understood that the faceplate of the present disclosurecan be made with any suitable ornamentation and in any suitable style.For example, while the cross-sectional views of the faceplate show thefront profile as being rectangular, the front profile can have anysuitable shape or combination of shapes. It will also be understood thatthe components of the faceplate system of the present disclosure neednot be solid components. For example, the back of a faceplate may havemultiple cavities or portions missing. For example, the back of thefaceplate may comprise a honeycomb structure or any other suitable shapethat reduces the amount of material needed or facilitates themanufacturing process. This may be useful, for example, whenmanufacturing the faceplate using injection molding techniques or using3D printing techniques. It will also be understand that the termsurface, as used herein, refers to solid continuous surfaces as well asdiscontinuous surfaces. For example, the term surface may refer tointerrupted portions that, taken together, lie on the same plane andform a surface.

It will also be understood that the frames of the present disclosure canbe made without any sticky mediums for attachment to a surface. Forexample, the frames may include a stand integrated into the backingplate. As another example, the frames may be intended for leaningagainst a surface.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of thisdisclosure and various modifications may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The abovedescribed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and notof limitation. The present disclosure also can take many forms otherthan those explicitly described herein. Accordingly, it is emphasizedthat this disclosure is not limited to the explicitly disclosed methods,systems, and apparatuses, but is intended to include variations to andmodifications thereof, which are within the spirit of the followingclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. A system comprising: a faceplate comprising: a frontsurface; a back surface opposite the front surface; a first recess inthe back surface; a first recessed surface, wherein the first recessedsurface at least partially defines a bottom of the first recess; asecond recess in the first recessed surface; a second recessed surface,wherein the second recessed surface at least partially defines a bottomof the second recess and wherein the bottom of the first recess isadjacent to a top of the second recess; and a viewing aperture, whereinthe viewing aperture enables one to see through the faceplate, whereinthe viewing aperture is located in the second recessed surface of thefaceplate; a lens configured to fit into the second recess of thefaceplate; a backing plate configured to fit into the first recess ofthe faceplate; and at least one magnet located in either the firstrecessed surface of the faceplate or the backing plate, wherein when thelens is positioned in the second recess and the backing plate ispositioned in the first recess, the at least one magnet exerts a forceto maintain the faceplate and backing plate together.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises at least two magnetslocated in the first recessed surface, wherein when the lens ispositioned in the second recess and the backing plate is positioned inthe first recess, the at least two magnets exert a force on the backingplate to maintain the faceplate and backing plate together.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the at least two magnets are each embedded inthe first recessed surface and wherein a visible surface of each of theat least two magnets are flush with the first recessed surface.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises at leastfour magnets located in the first recessed surface.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the first recessed surface comprises four corners andwherein each of the four magnets is located proximate to a respectiveone of the four corners.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the firstrecessed surface comprises four sides and wherein each of the fourmagnets is located proximate to a center of a respective one of the foursides.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetcomprises at least two magnets located in the backing plate, whereinwhen the lens is positioned in the second recess and the backing plateis positioned in the first recess, the at least two magnets exert aforce on the faceplate to maintain the faceplate and backing platetogether.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least two magnets areembedded in the backing plate and wherein a visible surface of each ofthe at least two magnets are flush with a surface of the backing plate.9. The system of claim 7, wherein the faceplate comprises at least twosteel inserts and wherein when the backing plate is positioned in thefirst recess, each of the at least two steel inserts is locatedproximate to a respective one of the at least two magnets.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises at leasttwo magnets located in the first recessed surfaced and at least twoopposing magnets in the backing plate, wherein when the lens ispositioned in the second recess and the backing plate is positioned inthe first recess, each of the at least two magnets and its respectiveone of the at least two opposing magnets exert a force on each other tomaintain the faceplate and backing plate together.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein a depth of the second recess is greater than athickness of the lens such that the lens and an insert can be positionedin the second recess.
 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising aninsert configured to be inserted into the second recess, wherein whenthe lens and insert are positioned in the second recess and the backingplate is positioned in the first recess, the at least one magnet exertsa force to maintain the faceplate and backing plate together, which inturn maintain the lens and insert in the first recess.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein a width and height of the insert is substantiallysimilar to a width and a height of the lens.
 14. The system of claim 12,wherein: the insert comprises first and second opposite edges, whereinthe first and second opposite edges comprise respective first and secondopposite protrusions; the faceplate comprises first and second oppositerecesses adjacent to opposite sides of the second recess; and the firstand second opposite recesses are configured to receive the respectivefirst and second opposite protrusions of the insert when the insert ispositioned in the second recess of the faceplate.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein a visual display insert can be positioned in thesecond recess between the lens and the insert and wherein when lens,visual display insert, and insert are positioned in the second recess,the first and second opposite protrusions of the insert maintain thelens and visual display insert in the second recess.
 16. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the insert comprises a picture-framing mat.
 17. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the lens comprises first and second oppositeedges, wherein the first and second opposite edges comprise respectivefirst and second opposite protrusions; the faceplate comprises first andsecond opposite recesses adjacent to opposite sides of the secondrecess; and the first and second opposite recesses are configured toreceive respective first and second opposite protrusions of the lenswhen the lens is positioned in the recess of the faceplate.
 18. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising an insert configured to beinserted into the first recess, wherein when the lens is positioned inthe second recess and the insert and backing plate are positioned in thefirst recess, the at least one magnet exerts a force to maintain theinsert between the faceplate and backing plate.
 19. The system of claim18, wherein when the insert is positioned in the first recess, asurrounding edge of the insert is adjacent to the first recessedsurface.
 20. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least onesticky medium attached to a back side of the backing plate, wherein theat least one sticky medium is configured to adhere to a surface.